Didn't get around to posting anything after the Royals dropped their opener Thursday night. Probably just as well. Not too many positives in that game. Tonight was better, but still room to improve. Lost 6-5 to Elmira in a shootout after the Royals clanked the pipe twice and failed to score.
The Royals got off to a better start when Ben Gordon scored early in the first period, but Elmira came back a few minutes later to tie it. It was a sign of things to come. Neither team looked good defensively and Royals goalie Kevin Regan looked shakey.
The Royals head out next week for a three games-in-three nights swing in Toledo and Kalamazoo. Then back home following week for two.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Spring in February
Almost 60 degrees Sunday and seemed like everyone was outside.
Tremendous turnout for the third race in the Shiver by the River series. Not much shivering going on there. Instead of huddling in the hut by the fire, most people were hanging around outside.
Took advantage of the great weather and biked to the Pagoda with some buddies. We're trying to make it a monthly trek. Lots of people at the top of Mount Penn to check out the refurbished landmark and the clear view.
Tremendous turnout for the third race in the Shiver by the River series. Not much shivering going on there. Instead of huddling in the hut by the fire, most people were hanging around outside.
Took advantage of the great weather and biked to the Pagoda with some buddies. We're trying to make it a monthly trek. Lots of people at the top of Mount Penn to check out the refurbished landmark and the clear view.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Hockey day
Getting ready to listen to the Royals-Chiefs game tonight. Great game last night as the Royals won a big one over Wheeling, 3-1. Good team defense and Ouzas made top-notch saves when they were needed. If they play like that tonight, they could break that 10-game losing streak against Johnstown.
I'll have one ear on that game while I watch the NHL Center Ice channels. Checked out several games this afternoon, including the Kings tough loss to Montreal. The Kings were winning late in the third, only to give up two goals with the game-winner coming with less than 30 seconds to play.
I'll have one ear on that game while I watch the NHL Center Ice channels. Checked out several games this afternoon, including the Kings tough loss to Montreal. The Kings were winning late in the third, only to give up two goals with the game-winner coming with less than 30 seconds to play.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Cup is here
Yep, the Holy Grail of hockey is here again in Reading for the All-Star Skills Competition.
The NHL staffer with the cup says he travels with it about 250 days a year and it's insured for more than $1 million.
That's a lot of frequent flyer miles and I'll bet he has stories to tell.
Hockey fans know that each member of the Cup-winning team gets to take the Cup for a day.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Mini streak is over
The three-game win streak is over as the Royals dropped a tough one to Elmira, 3-2. A bad turnover while on the PP led to a breakaway game winner. Generally, a tough, physical game that seemed to stir some of the bad blood between these teams from last year.
Royals got off to a quick 1-0 lead before falling behind 2-1. Kirk MacDonald tied it at 2 in the second, but the turnover about three minutes later proved to be the game winner. The Royals pulled Michael Ouzas with about a minute to play, but failed to tie it up, including on a last-second shot off the faceoff in the Jackals' zone.
Next up: All Star skills competition Tuesday and the All Star game Wednesday. The Royals are off until Saturday, when Wheeling returns to town.
Royals got off to a quick 1-0 lead before falling behind 2-1. Kirk MacDonald tied it at 2 in the second, but the turnover about three minutes later proved to be the game winner. The Royals pulled Michael Ouzas with about a minute to play, but failed to tie it up, including on a last-second shot off the faceoff in the Jackals' zone.
Next up: All Star skills competition Tuesday and the All Star game Wednesday. The Royals are off until Saturday, when Wheeling returns to town.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Same team?
Has anyone checked the passports of the Royals since they returned from the western trip?
I mean, are these the same guys who were here three weeks ago? What an amazing change. We all know it won't last forever, but finally these guys are competing. Friday's game was probably the best game they played at home all season. Saturday night was right up there, too.
Strange how they got down early in both games, but didn't fold like they have all season. There seems to be some confidence brewing here and I'm not sure where it's coming from. Larry?
You can feel that in the stands, too. The crowd is more into the game because, for once, the fans think this team has a real chance to win.
The aggressive play has returned, too. And I'm not talking just about the fighting. They are looking more like a true North Division team than they did earlier in the season. It's almost as if the reins have been taken off this team. I've always thought this team plays better with a bit of a snarl.
The forecheck has been good, and, generally, so has the defense. Although the PP connected Saturday, it still needs some work, but hey, a win streak is a win streak.
I mean, are these the same guys who were here three weeks ago? What an amazing change. We all know it won't last forever, but finally these guys are competing. Friday's game was probably the best game they played at home all season. Saturday night was right up there, too.
Strange how they got down early in both games, but didn't fold like they have all season. There seems to be some confidence brewing here and I'm not sure where it's coming from. Larry?
You can feel that in the stands, too. The crowd is more into the game because, for once, the fans think this team has a real chance to win.
The aggressive play has returned, too. And I'm not talking just about the fighting. They are looking more like a true North Division team than they did earlier in the season. It's almost as if the reins have been taken off this team. I've always thought this team plays better with a bit of a snarl.
The forecheck has been good, and, generally, so has the defense. Although the PP connected Saturday, it still needs some work, but hey, a win streak is a win streak.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The boys are back
Home after a road trip that included a coaching change and a split of the four games, the Royals face a tough three-game-in-four-day stretch. Friday night brings the Nailers to town, followed by the Devils Saturday night. A day off Sunday, but back on the ice at 11 a.m. Monday to take on the Jackals on MLK Day.
The Purple Gang, no doubt, will warmly welcome Larry Courville in his home-coaching debut. A fan favorite as a player, Courville likely will get some slack from the home crowd even if the team doesn't play well.
The All Star activities kick off Tuesday night with the skills competition with the game Wednesday night. The Royals send two players to that game -- Tyler Doig and Steve Ward.
The Purple Gang, no doubt, will warmly welcome Larry Courville in his home-coaching debut. A fan favorite as a player, Courville likely will get some slack from the home crowd even if the team doesn't play well.
The All Star activities kick off Tuesday night with the skills competition with the game Wednesday night. The Royals send two players to that game -- Tyler Doig and Steve Ward.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Small step
If you stayed up and hung in through the technical problems, you heard the Royals win over Utah last night, 3-0.
After a first period in which they were horribly outshot, the Royals built a two-goal lead. The team had been up by two the night before against the Grizzlies before losing. The Royals seemed to play better last night. Hopefully, it's one small step in the right direction under Larry Courville, who picks up his first win as coach.
The team made some roster moves today: LaLonde is loaned for a second time to Iowa; Miller and Reimer are back from the IR; and Taylor moves to the IR.
Next up: back-to-back games against Idaho, starting Friday.
After a first period in which they were horribly outshot, the Royals built a two-goal lead. The team had been up by two the night before against the Grizzlies before losing. The Royals seemed to play better last night. Hopefully, it's one small step in the right direction under Larry Courville, who picks up his first win as coach.
The team made some roster moves today: LaLonde is loaned for a second time to Iowa; Miller and Reimer are back from the IR; and Taylor moves to the IR.
Next up: back-to-back games against Idaho, starting Friday.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Been a while
Yeah, I know. This space has been inkless for too long. Life has gotten in the way. I will try to get back in the habit of filling this up.
Good news tonight for Royals fans. The team hangs on for a 5-4 win in Dayton after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first to win its second consecutive game. Two in a row hasn't happened since November.
James Reimer gets his third consecutive start and backstops the effort. The recent additions seem to be paying off, adding speed and some scoring punch to the lineup. Remember, this was a team that had been shut out two straight games. They seem to have found some offense.
Good news tonight for Royals fans. The team hangs on for a 5-4 win in Dayton after jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first to win its second consecutive game. Two in a row hasn't happened since November.
James Reimer gets his third consecutive start and backstops the effort. The recent additions seem to be paying off, adding speed and some scoring punch to the lineup. Remember, this was a team that had been shut out two straight games. They seem to have found some offense.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Promising signs
What a difference a lead makes. After constantly playing from behind, the Royals got off to a quick start tonight building a 3-0 lead after one period on their way to a 6-2 win over Idaho -- the team's first at home.
Despite being outshot, the Royals played better defensively, and the offense found it's balance with several players grabbing multiple points. Goalie Danny Taylor made several key saves as the Royals held off the Steelheads' charge in the third as Idaho cut it to 4-2 before the Royals put the game away.
Royals head out on the road for four games with Northern Divison teams before returning home Nov. 9 against Dayton.
Despite being outshot, the Royals played better defensively, and the offense found it's balance with several players grabbing multiple points. Goalie Danny Taylor made several key saves as the Royals held off the Steelheads' charge in the third as Idaho cut it to 4-2 before the Royals put the game away.
Royals head out on the road for four games with Northern Divison teams before returning home Nov. 9 against Dayton.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Familiar look
Although the uniforms were a different color - Royal blue instead of regal purple -- the outcome was pretty much the same for the Royals tonight, dropping another game, this time to the Cyclones, 5-3.
Hard to believe six months ago I made an 8-hour car trip to see the Royals play what turned out to be their last game of the season against the Cyclones in the playoffs. At the time, the Cyclones and Royals were two of the best teams in the conference.
Things sure have changed. The Cyclones came into tonight's game with 1 point on the season, while the Royals had a total of 2.
Tonight, the Royals again got down early. On the season they've been outscored 9-3 in the first period. D-zone breakdowns and playing from behind are costing the Royals. The Royals need to get it turned around soon before they fall too far behind.
Hard to believe six months ago I made an 8-hour car trip to see the Royals play what turned out to be their last game of the season against the Cyclones in the playoffs. At the time, the Cyclones and Royals were two of the best teams in the conference.
Things sure have changed. The Cyclones came into tonight's game with 1 point on the season, while the Royals had a total of 2.
Tonight, the Royals again got down early. On the season they've been outscored 9-3 in the first period. D-zone breakdowns and playing from behind are costing the Royals. The Royals need to get it turned around soon before they fall too far behind.
Keeping it in perspective
You don't have to be a runner to enjoy Don Stewart's story in the Reading Eagle about Conrad Weiser cross country runner Zach Barker and his mother.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What happened?
What happened to fall? Only a couple days ago it was beautiful fall weather. Sure did take a turn today with snow north of us and lots of wind locally. It was a toss up today whether people were talking about the weather or the Phillies and how weather delayed their celebration plans.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Royals come up short again
Good day for a race
Good weather and an even better turnout for Fitzy's 5K in Wyomissing this morning. The course winds skirts the grounds of the Reading Public Museum and onto the trail near the Stone House and out to the Wyomissing pool before doubling back on the opposite side of the museum grounds and back up to Sleepy Hollow.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Rough start
Royals got off to a rough start tonight against Johnstown. Got down 1-0 before evening the score, then gave up a goal a little more than 3 minutes later. Johnstown opened up a 5-1 lead by the end of the second, courtesy of some sloppy defensive play by the Royals.
Royals got back to 5-4 with a goal with 33 seconds remaining in the third with the goalie pulled. Johnstown controlled the faceoff and netted another with a half-second to go to win 6-4. Royals had two PPGs, but gave up three PPGs and a shortie.
The game did feature a good tilt between DelMonte and the Royals' Tyler Doig, who also netted a goal and had two assists on the night.
Royals will need short memories and a quick recovery for Sunday's 5 p.m. start against Augusta.
Royals got back to 5-4 with a goal with 33 seconds remaining in the third with the goalie pulled. Johnstown controlled the faceoff and netted another with a half-second to go to win 6-4. Royals had two PPGs, but gave up three PPGs and a shortie.
The game did feature a good tilt between DelMonte and the Royals' Tyler Doig, who also netted a goal and had two assists on the night.
Royals will need short memories and a quick recovery for Sunday's 5 p.m. start against Augusta.
Hockey's back
The Sovereign Center should be rocking tonight with the Royals home opener against Johnstown. It'll be nice to see our "rink friends." We haven't seen them since the Royals lost to the Cyclones in the playoffs.
Weather looks like it will clear by Sunday for Fitzy's Run in Wyomissing. Check it out if you're in to running and looking for nice 5K course and a worthwhile fundraiser for brain tumor research. See you there.
Weather looks like it will clear by Sunday for Fitzy's Run in Wyomissing. Check it out if you're in to running and looking for nice 5K course and a worthwhile fundraiser for brain tumor research. See you there.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Time for R&R
Projects are finished. Just some minor touching up to do, so it'll be time to relax.
Picked up our Royals tickets today -- home opener is Saturday. Looking forward to seeing some live hockey. It does mean I'll miss Hockey Night in Canada and the latest fashion statement from Don Cherry. He always seems to outdo himself. That's the thing with Cherry -- never know what he's going to say or wear.
Monday, October 20, 2008
No easy project
That's what my dad always says. He's usually right, too. Three boxes of ceiling tiles and still come up eight short after damaged and "oops" tiles come into play. Had to get another box. Saving those for tomorrow.
Then there's the ceiling fan that should have been simple to replace. Just rewire the new one and ... wait, why doesn't the ball on top of the downrod fit the existing fan box? Swap some parts and we're back in business.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Vacation prep
Spent the afternoon getting ceiling tiles, paint, brushes ... a week's worth of vacation. Oh, yeah, can't forget the ceiling fan that's been sitting in the basement for a year waiting to be put up.
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